### Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Detailed Biography
#### 1. Early Life
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly known by his initials FDR, was born on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York. He was the only child of James Roosevelt and Sara Ann Delano. Coming from a wealthy family with roots dating back to the Dutch colonial era of New Amsterdam, Franklin received a privileged upbringing. His early education was through private tutors, and he later attended Groton School, a prestigious preparatory school in Massachusetts. He went on to study at Harvard University, where he graduated with a BA in history in 1903. After Harvard, Roosevelt attended Columbia Law School, though he left without a degree upon passing the bar exam in 1907.
#### 2. Career
Franklin D. Roosevelt began his career in public service quickly after finishing his formal education. He was elected to the New York State Senate in 1910 as a Democrat, representing a predominantly Republican district. His ability to win over voters across party lines marked him as a promising figure in the Democratic Party. In 1913, he was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President
Woodrow-Wilson, a role in which he excelled and gained significant administrative experience.
In 1920, Roosevelt made his first attempt at national office as the vice-presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket with James M. Cox, but they were defeated by the Republican Warren G. Harding. After a brief retreat from politics, during which he battled polio and was paralyzed from the waist down, Roosevelt returned to public life. He was elected Governor of New York in 1928 and reelected in 1930. His successful governorship set the stage for his presidential run.
In 1932, during the depths of the Great Depression, Roosevelt was elected President of the United States, defeating the incumbent Herbert Hoover in a landslide. He would go on to win an unprecedented four terms in office, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945.
#### 3. Notable Achievements
Franklin D. Roosevelt is best known for his leadership during two of the most severe crises in American history: the Great Depression and World War II. His series of economic programs, known as the New Deal, included new federal initiatives aimed at creating jobs, providing relief, and reforming the financial system. Notable elements of the New Deal included the Social Security Act, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
During World War II, Roosevelt played a crucial role in planning strategies for the allied forces alongside British Prime Minister
Winston-Churchill and Soviet Premier
Joseph-Stalin. His leadership helped navigate the U.S. through Pearl Harbor and the subsequent expansion of the war effort. Roosevelt's vision also helped shape the post-war world, notably through the establishment of the United Nations.
#### 4. Personal Life
Franklin D. Roosevelt married
Eleanor-Roosevelt, his fifth cousin once removed, on March 17, 1905. They had six children, although one of them died in infancy. Eleanor was an influential figure in her own right, becoming a renowned advocate for civil and human rights. Roosevelt's struggle with polio from 1921 onward significantly impacted his personal and political life, though he managed to keep the severity of his condition mostly hidden from the public.
Roosevelt maintained a close circle of advisers, some of whom were known as the "Brain Trust," and he relied heavily on his personal secretary,
Marguerite-LeHand, for daily logistical and personal matters. His mother,
Sara-Delano-Roosevelt, also played a significant role in his life, providing both financial and emotional support.
Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away on April 12, 1945, in Warm Springs, Georgia, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most prominent leaders in American history. His policies and leadership style continue to influence political thought and policy in the United States and around the world.